Category: News

SIRF Supports the Next Generation of Seafood Researchers

August 3, 2023

The fifth annual Atlantic and Gulf Seafood Technology Conference (AGSTC) was held at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine Atmospheric and Earth Science. The event included a student competition in which young researchers showcase work that aims to maintain the exchange of technical and scientific information on wild-caught fisheries and aquaculture in the region. The Seafood Industry Research Fund sponsored the student paper awards.

“The SIRF sponsorship of the student awards at the AGSTC is a fantastic opportunity to support talented graduate students doing seafood related research”, says NFI Director of Scientific Affairs, Margaret Malkowski. “Supporting the next generation is very important to the SIRF Board of Directors and sponsoring the student awards is a wonderful way to encourage them to seek out seafood industry related careers upon graduation.”
SIRF awards first, second, and third place prizes to three outstanding researchers. This year’s winners were Sara Schoen (1st), Sharon Chuah (2nd), and Rose Omidvar (3rd).

Rose Omidvar is a first-year Ph.D. Student conducting research under the supervision of Dr. Razieh Farzad on cell-based seafood production at the University of Florida. After being awarded 3rd place at AGSTC, she tells SIRF about the importance of her research.  

“An important aspect of cellular agriculture is the impact it would have on the environment. Conducting life cycle analysis would provide insight into these impacts and it can help improve product development, scaling up the processes as well as helping regulatory agencies with their policy-making decisions”, says Omidvar. “Since we are at the very beginning steps of cell-based seafood production, I conducted an LCA analysis to compare the impact of cell-based salmon production with recirculating aquaculture salmon production”. Omidvar and peers said the conference gave them a chance to connect with peers with similar scientific interests.  

Omidvar continued, “Attending this conference helped me build connections with peers who work in the same field, receive the latest updates from FDA representatives on the seafood HACCP and safety, and gain insight into the recent seafood industry advancements”, she says. “I would like to thank my Advisor for the encouragement and funding this trip, and SIRF for providing awards for students.”  

 

Rose Omidvar (left), Sara Schoen (middle), and Sharon Chuah (right)

 

Sarah Schoen and Lisa Weddig

 

Sharon Chuah and Lisa Weddig

 

Rose Omidvar, PhD Student, University of Florida

 

Lisa Weddig speaks at the Atlantic and Gulf Seafood Technology Conference

 

The 29th Annual Gorton Cup Raised $19,500 for SIRF

March 22, 2023

The Seafood Industry Research Fund (SIRF) Board would like to thank SEAFAX, Compass, Lineage Logistics and the players for organizing and participating in the Gorton Cup fundraiser.

Seafood Industry Research Fund Announces New Board Member

April 11, 2022

Seafood Finance Veteran Larsen Mettler Brings Fiscal Focus to SIRF

March 31, 2022 — Washington, DC — The Seafood Industry Research Fund (SIRF) welcomes Larsen Mettler to its Board of Directors. Mettler is a Managing Director at S2G Ventures Oceans and Seafood Fund. His leadership in the seafood and finance sector also includes time as an owner and CFO of Silver Bay Seafoods and the Director of KeyBanc Capital Markets Seafood Investment Banking and Corporate Lending practice.

“SIRF is one of the best examples I can think of where committed members of the seafood community truly put their money where their mouth is,” said Mettler. “By catalyzing capital and industry commitment to fund important scientific research we can greatly improve the sustainability and resilience of the sector to benefit human, animal and climate health. SIRF has been pulling those oars for decades now and I’m thrilled to become involved at a time we believe to be a tipping point in industry technology and innovation.”

SIRF began as the Lewis Goldstein Memorial Fund in 1964 and nearly 60 years later stands as the premier body funding scientific research directly linked to industry improvements within the relevant fields of aquaculture, food safety and seafood nutrition, to name a few.

Corporate and individual donations make up memorial, living tribute, and perpetual funds.

“The SIRF Board works collaboratively across pre-competitive industry priorities to maintain its mission of advancing seafood innovation, and it’s guided by passionate seafood industry leaders,” said Sean O’Scannlain, President and CEO of Fortune International and Chair of the SIRF Board. “We look forward to having Larsen’s combined expertise in seafood and finance at the table.”

SIRF’s board of directors is made up of 13 members who serve for 3-year terms.

The Seafood Industry Research Fund is a philanthropic research organization dedicated to supporting scientific, market, and economic research that benefits the seafood community. It works in conjunction with the National Fisheries Institute, the leading trade association for the fish and seafood community. For more information on SIRF, visit www.sirfonline.org.

SIRF Announces Ed Morey Memorial Fund

September 25, 2020

The Seafood Industry Research Fund (SIRF) Board of Directors has unanimously approved the formation of the Ed Morey, Founder, Morey’s Fish Company, Memorial Fund. The fund honors Mr. Morey’s leadership within the seafood industry as well as his support for seafood research.

Seafood Industry Research Fund Announces the Ed Morey Memorial Fund

September 23, 2020

The Seafood Industry Research Fund (SIRF) Board of Directors has unanimously approved the formation of the Ed Morey, Founder, Morey’s Fish Company, Memorial Fund.

Ed Morey founded Morey’s Fish Company in 1937. Ed was a logger, farmer and baker who traded a load of sweetcorn for a load of seafood from a fisherman whose truck broke down in Ed’s hometown of Motley, Minnesota. As they say, the rest is history. In 1964, Morey’s became a true family business when Ed’s son, Loren, joined the operation. With Ed and Loren’s leadership, the business continued to expand and today Morey’s frozen and smoked fish and seafood can be found in retail stores and on dinner tables across the U.S.

Loren Morey served as the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) Chairman in 1985 and remained active in guiding NFI for many years. Loren chose to name it solely after his father, but with this new fund SIRF hopes to acknowledge the contributions of both Ed and Loren Morey and all they have done for NFI, SIRF, families in Motley, Minnesota, and the seafood industry broadly.

“Ed Morey’s history is a fascinating tale of hard work, innovation, and foresight,” said SIRF Chairman, Sean O’Scannlain, President and CEO of Fortune International. “Ed put seafood on the Midwest map, paving the way for companies like mine, also based far from any U.S. coastline.”

Loren generously donated $60,000 to the fund, and SIRF has already received interest from others to support the fund as well.

“Loren, like his father so often did, is looking to the future with a fund that will benefit the seafood community for years to come. Their generosity is a testament to the company and the family,” said O’Scannlain.

SIRF started as the Lewis Goldstein Memorial Fund in 1964, grew into the Fisheries Scholarship Fund during the 1980s and became the Seafood Industry Research Fund in 2012. 56 years and more than 50 funds later, this important research support mechanism is proud to welcome the Ed Morey Memorial Fund.

Please also find this video announcement of the fund and a video where Loren Morey describes his father’s early life and the events that lead to a seafood company in the middle of Minnesota.

SIRF September 2019 Meeting Recap

October 3, 2019

The SIRF Board met in September 2019 covering a full agenda for the seafood research organization. Items included planning for fundraising events, reporting on ongoing projects and discussion of project proposals. Watch the video for a recap of the meeting.

SIRF Director’s Testimonial

October 3, 2019

SIRF is guided by a board of industry leaders. This team guides SIRF’s mission forward by improving the seafood industry with innovative research. In this video, learn from SIRF directors what they value about the seafood research organization.

Crab Enhancement Research

August 10, 2018

Dr. Yoni Zohar with the University of Maryland Baltimore County and director of the Aquaculture Research Center at the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology has co-authored a paper on Crab Enhancement. “Stock Enhancement: Strategic Approach for the Blue Swimmer Crab in SE Asia” profiles various approaches to bolstering crab populations through hatchery raised stocks and recommends best practices. Learn more about how this innovative practice can contribute to crab sustainability.

SIRF Enrolls in AmazonSmile Program

June 7, 2018

SIRF has registered with AmazonSmile to make donating to the seafood research nonprofit even easier. A version of the e-commerce platform, AmazonSmile makes available all of the offerings and prices as the original Amazon while dedicating a portion of every purchase to a charitable organization of the user’s choosing.

By selecting SIRF as a charity recipient, seafood advocates will secure, at no cost, 0.5% on all eligible purchases towards funding innovative, industry-improving projects.

“AmazonSmile is a convenient way to convert the online shopping experience into a supportive act,” said SIRF board member Derek Figueroa. “I have registered SIRF as my AmazonSmile charity and am glad to see my routine orders now contributing to an industry-bettering effort.”

Since launching in 2013, AmazonSmile has sent over $80 million to charities. To assist in SIRF’s fundraising, members of the seafood community are encouraged to visit smile.amazon.com and select SIRF as their designated organization or visit SIRF’s AmazonSmile page.

SIRF Chairman Russ Mentzer views AmazonSmile as a promising revenue source for the seafood study-sponsoring group.

“As an adaptive organization SIRF is always looking to diversify opportunities for giving,” said Mr. Mentzer. “AmazonSmile offers a quick and simple way to shop and support SIRF with no hassle or fee. I hope SIRF’s champions will take advantage of this program and give back to SIRF with their buying decisions.”